What causes particularly itchy eyes?
May 27, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Shuai
Introduction
Extremely itchy eyes may be caused by eye fatigue, allergic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, dry eye syndrome, trichiasis, or other reasons. Please seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive targeted treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analysis is as follows: Maintain good ocular hygiene, avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent unnecessary harm to your health.
Extremely itchy eyes may be caused by eye fatigue, allergic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, dry eye syndrome, trichiasis, or other reasons. It is important to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive targeted treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Eye fatigue: Prolonged use of electronic devices and overuse of the eyes can lead to eye strain, which may result in intense itching. Proper eye care, avoiding excessive eye use, and taking regular breaks can help alleviate symptoms.
2. Allergic conjunctivitis: This is an inflammatory condition of the conjunctiva triggered by allergies. Individuals with allergic predispositions may experience abnormal immune responses when exposed to allergens such as pollen, animal dander, or willow catkins, leading to allergic conjunctivitis. Conjunctival congestion can cause severe eye itching, often accompanied by burning sensations, increased secretions, and a foreign body sensation. Treatment may include medications such as sodium cromoglicate eye drops, ofloxacin eye drops, or olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops, used as directed by a physician.
3. Blepharitis: This is an inflammation of the eyelid margins caused by bacterial infection. Consuming spicy or irritating foods—such as chili peppers, wasabi, or Sichuan pepper—frequently may increase sebum production in the eyelid's hair follicles, potentially clogging pores and causing blepharitis. Seborrhea can lead to thickening of the eyelid margins, resulting in intense eye itching. Other symptoms include redness, stinging pain, and loss of eyelashes. Treatment options under medical supervision may include ofloxacin eye ointment, levofloxacin eye drops, or pranoprofen eye drops.
4. Dry eye syndrome: This condition arises from ocular surface damage and tear film instability. Staying frequently in dry environments may accelerate evaporation of the tear film on the eye surface, leading to dry eye syndrome. Insufficient tear production can cause eye redness and significant itching. Common accompanying symptoms include eye fatigue, foreign body sensation, and blurred vision. Treatments may include sodium hyaluronate eye drops, compound mannitol injection, or acetylcysteine eye drops, used as prescribed.
5. Trichiasis: This condition occurs when eyelashes grow inward toward the eyeball. Congenital entropion may cause abnormal lash growth direction, resulting in trichiasis. The lashes rubbing against the corneal edge can cause intense eye itching, along with symptoms such as redness, eye pain, and excessive tearing. Medications such as ketotifen fumarate eye drops, cyclosporine eye drops, or tetrahydrozoline eye drops may be used under medical guidance for symptom relief.
Maintain good hygiene around the eyes and avoid rubbing them to prevent unnecessary injury.
